Hockey: Pearn is Kerly's heir

THERE WAS no change at the top of the Premier Division as the leaders, Cannock, were held at Southgate and third-placed Canterbury went down at Reading, who nevertheless remain in fourth position. The day's surprising result was the 7-1 annihilation of Guildford by Teddington, whose player-coach, Brett Garrard, scored a hat-trick. And all that after Ian Jennings had given Guildford a second-minute lead.

There was a display of vintage Sean Kerly in the first half of Canterbury's game at Reading. The old campaigner set up Canterbury's first two goals for Paul Wicken and Stuart Humphries as the visitors took a two-goal lead.

Reading clawed their way back, taking advantage of the temporary suspension of Canterbury's captain, David Hacker, to equalise. A brilliant solo goal by the player most likely to take over Kerly's mantle - Mark Pearn - put Reading ahead for the first time in the game. Pearn got a second and Scott Ashdown collected his brace as Reading took control in the last quarter of the game.